Americans begin to sour on stimulus

It's no secret that recently, with unemployment numbers out of control and the economy continuing to sag, the American public has begun to grow more and more skeptical about the effectiveness of the $787 Billion economic stimulus program that was approved by congress and The President in February.

When the bill was passed it was lauded as ambitious, historical and bold, but was also derided as weak and wasteful and received only 3 total Republican votes in both the House and the Senate. The landmark stimulus was the President's first legislative victory and set a pattern for how the Obama administration deals with congress (most specifially Republicans in congress.) Originally, in the days after the inauguration, Obama made frequent trips to the hill and 'bipartisanship' was all the rage. The President said he had hoped for "80 votes" in the Senate and that the first item on his sweeping domestic agenda would receive broad support from both parties, as they put their idealogical differences aside to deliver a historical bill that would give the economy the shot in the arm it needed. Instead, concessions were made on both sides, negotiations fell apart, old rivalries and differences flared and Republicans revolted against the bill, rejecting it nearly unanimously.

As reported yesterday in The New York Times, criticism for the recovery plan has deepened and Republicans are anxious to see their nearly wholehearted rejection of the stimulus bear political fruit. There have even been calls amongst some economists and some Democrats for a second stimulus, an idea that may seem good, but would be a dead issue politically, both for The White House and for congress as Obama would have to admit his first stimulus wasn't good enough and congress would have to admit they don't have the votes for another bill. Larry Summers, White House economic advisor, echoing administration talking points, has urged patience, saying that money has to be doled out carefully and that there will be a ramp up of spending towards the end of this calendar year that will help unemployment numbers stabilize.

Obama has repeatedly preached continuing patience since he took office, but either because of exhaustion on the part of the American people in watching their lives get worse and worse or also because pointed Republican attacks are becoming more and more successful, there has been a slow trend downward for his national numbers, especially amongst Independents, who's support will be vital in the continuing debate on Health Care and Energy, as well as immigration and National Security, all issues that could make or break a President during normal times, much less a time of crisis.